Gents, what do you lift?

Ok I am 42 and a tiny dude. 165cm (5'5") and 63kg (138lbs) with tiny numbers I don't know my 1RM I have never tried but this is where I am currently at:
bench 70kg x 8
deadlifts 120kg x 8
squats (pathetic) 90kg x 10

I started lifting in September. I feel my greatest achievement are my pull ups. When I started I could only do 3 now I am doing 3 sets of 10 (usually 10, 8, 8) with a 20kg plate attached.

Tested events doesn't mean a person is drug free.

It does when you're me.

Where I currently am:

Squat - 185 (5x5), 235x1
DL - 285x6, 300x3
Bench - 175 (5x5)
OHP - 115 (5x5)

Just finished the 285x6 DL moments ago. Still slowly making progress.

50 years old, 51 in 2 months.
5' 7" 229

All time best lifts from last year when I was training heavy:

Bench 270
OHP 175
Squat 455
Dead 465

Great posts all around! Keep it up fellas!

Tested events doesn't mean a person is drug free.

It does when you're me.

And I have no reason to not believe you. I just don't like the notion of people saying "well, they test so he must be drug free." If you get caught, you did your cycle wrong. By the same token, just because you compete in an untested fed, doesn't mean you are on something.

There are some strong fellas in here! Very nice!

This. Nice work lads.

495lb bench press with PED's?? Yes it is. PED's aren't magic, you still have to work your *kitten* off, eat right, and recover to get the benefit.

Well, that's almost exactly what one has said when he started using, that it "feels like magic" after struggling before. But it still is impressive when my gym's resident bodybuilder takes my recent max of around 365lbs bench and does it for 3 sets ...of 6-10 reps...without a spotter...

But yeah, still cheating :P

Cheating how? Unless you're using gear in a tested federation it wouldn't be cheating.

Using steroids vs average gym goer = cheating? no.
Using steroids vs other non tested lifters = cheating? no.

It is only cheating if you are in a drug tested sport.

495lb bench press with PED's?? Yes it is. PED's aren't magic, you still have to work your *kitten* off, eat right, and recover to get the benefit.

Well, that's almost exactly what one has said when he started using, that it "feels like magic" after struggling before. But it still is impressive when my gym's resident bodybuilder takes my recent max of around 365lbs bench and does it for 3 sets ...of 6-10 reps...without a spotter...

But yeah, still cheating :P

Cheating how? Unless you're using gear in a tested federation it wouldn't be cheating.

Using steroids vs average gym goer = cheating? no.
Using steroids vs other non tested lifters = cheating? no.

Oh come on. Of course its "cheating", if its no rules not in a competition its no rules, so everyone has their own opinion, and I agree its cheating.

Just like fake boobs are "cheating". In the end, they are still D cups. Roid users may end up with a few extra cup sizes more on the chest too, and less in the pants!

And not talking about the user above, I don't know how he got mixed into this discussion. I'm sure he's man enough to admit if he uses.

495lb bench press with PED's?? Yes it is. PED's aren't magic, you still have to work your *kitten* off, eat right, and recover to get the benefit.

Well, that's almost exactly what one has said when he started using, that it "feels like magic" after struggling before. But it still is impressive when my gym's resident bodybuilder takes my recent max of around 365lbs bench and does it for 3 sets ...of 6-10 reps...without a spotter...

But yeah, still cheating :P

Cheating how? Unless you're using gear in a tested federation it wouldn't be cheating.

Using steroids vs average gym goer = cheating? no.
Using steroids vs other non tested lifters = cheating? no.

Oh come on. Of course its "cheating", if its no rules not in a competition its no rules, so everyone has their own opinion, and I agree its cheating.

Just like fake boobs are "cheating". In the end, they are still D cups. Roid users may end up with a few extra cup sizes more on the chest too, and less in the pants!

And not talking about the user above, I don't know how he got mixed into this discussion. I'm sure he's man enough to admit if he uses.

First of all, the use of steroids without a prescription is illegal. We all know that and we all know that lots of people use steroids anyway. We also know that there are doctors out there who don't mind making extra money giving prescriptions to people who don't really need it. Also illegal. We also know there are steroids out there that are just simply illegal.

Now that we've discussed that people shouldn't use steroids because they are not legal let's look into the rest of the issue.
When it comes to competing in bodybuilding, powerlifting, etc. there are two types of competitions you can enter. There are sanctioned natural competitions and there is everything else. The natural competitions usually have a polygraph and/or urinalysis for the competitors to discourage people from using steroids (or other WADA banned substances including stimulants), hence the reason they label it a natural competition. In the other competitions and organizations they allow the use of PEDs.

So, what's the big deal?

If you compete in an organization that is specified as natural you generally have to sign something stating you have not and do not use steroids or other WADA banned substances. If you do use them and you sign stating that you don't you are cheating. There are ways to pass a polygraph and urinalysis even if you are not natural. If you get caught using in a natural competition you generally get banned. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. If you compete in an organization that is not specified as natural and you use PEDs you are not cheating. Depending on the organization and level (amateur versus professional), using is basically leveling the playing field. I'm not saying it's an excuse to do it, but being natural in a not natural field requires more time and more work.

Beyond competing and them being illegal there is another issue. Health. Many of us have done a variety of things in our lives that are far from healthy. I won't equate taking steroids to smoking cigarettes or being obese because the risks of each are very different. Although someone can use steroids with little to no side effects there's no telling if they will deal with something long term. That's a risk each person has to decide to take if they go that route.

If you claim you are natural and you obviously aren't, you look like an *kitten*. If you mislead people that look up to you by claiming you are natural when you aren't, you look like an *kitten*. If you are natural and cry about someone cheating by using steroids because they are bigger than you or stronger than you, you look like an *kitten*.

ETA: Equating steroids with a boob job is a horrible analysis. Steroids you have to push it hard in the gym for months to see considerable gains. Boob job you pay a doctor then spend some time relaxing and letting them heal. Also, one is illegal (steroids) and one is not (boob job).

Squat 265
Deadlift 305
Bench 180
Strict OHP 155

There are some strong fellas in here! Very nice!

This. Nice work lads.

Yep...I'm just over here drooling.

Who cares for stats...less than tomorrow is that matters

6'5 - 255lbs
Numbers from this morning
Bench: 250 5x5
Deadlift: 315 5x5
Squat: 0 (pulled a groin muscle on Monday. Surprised that I was able to deadlift)
Row: 305 5x5